BRIDGE OF FAITH - Catherine West - One Free Book

Bio: Catherine West is an award-winning author who writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. Her first novel, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, released in 2011 and won the INSPY for Romance, a Silver Medal in the Reader’s Favorite Awards, and was a finalist in the Grace Awards. Catherine’s second novel, Hidden in the Heart, released in September 2012, was long listed in the 2012 INSPY’s and was a finalist in the 2013 Grace Awards. Catherine’s latest novel, Bridge of Faith, is now available on Amazon.

When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two grown children. Catherine is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com

Welcome back, Catherine. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

I love dealing with real-life situations. Things all of us struggle with, exploring the need for God’s grace and mercy in our lives. Wrestling the problem with sin. And revealing the exquisite beauty of the cross when we realize just how much we need God to change us.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

Ooo, tough question! I’d have to say the birth of my two children. Those were definitely two of the happiest days of my life, and my husband’s. And then more recently, the day our daughter walked down the aisle to marry the love of her life, almost 2 years ago!

How has being published changed your life?

I wouldn’t say my life has really changed much, but I love knowing I’m able to share the books I write with readers. I love connecting with them and hearing how those stories have impacted their lives in some way. It’s wonderful for an author to know that goal was met. While I do hope to entertain, I really do pray my words reach beyond the surface and leave my reader with a little more than what they bargained for.

What are you reading right now?

I have a few books on the go, but since I’m in the middle of promoting my book right now, I’m not finding much time to read. The last book I finished was Beth Vogt’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love, which I got to read for endorsement, always a pleasure! I have a list a mile long of books I want to read, and hopefully I’ll be able to make a good start on them soon!

What is your current work in progress?

I currently have several completed projects ready to go, and there’ll be more to come on those in the near future. So right now I’m waiting to see which direction to go next. I have some ideas, but I suppose I’m having a bit of a rest at the moment, because life is going to get busy again very soon! J

What would be your dream vacation?

My husband and I are talking about a trip to Italy. That’s truly my dream vacation. Not sure when it’ll happen, but we’re definitely looking into it. But outside of that, my dream vacation is anywhere with my husband, our daughter, my son-in-law, our son, and his girlfriend. We have the best times together, and I love it when we’re all in the same place at the same time.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I think they kind of choose me. J Honestly, I’m always stumped by these kinds of questions, because I don’t really know where my ideas come from. They just show up, and I play around until I find the one that works. Not a very helpful answer is it? Sometimes it can be from a memory of a place I’ve been, read about, or would like to go to.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

Ah. I have to say my sister! I was adopted at birth, and we only met for the first time in 2003. Since she lives in the US and I live in Bermuda, I don’t get to spend nearly as much time with her as I would like! But when we’re together we have a blast. She’s the biggest blessing to me, and I still can’t believe God gave me a big sister. She’s just the best. J

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to garden. I spend lots of time with my border collie, Noah, and I like watching movies. Walking, swimming. I do like painting but haven’t made much time for it.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Having faith in myself. This has always been a hard thing for me. Every time a book releases, I keep waiting for people to say, “Wow, you really can’t write!” It hasn’t happened yet. J But, yes, I have to work hard at not listening to the enemy and really knowing and trusting that this is the journey God has placed me on, and any talent I have comes from him.

I think that the enemy tries to discourage all us Christian writers. Listening for the Lord’s voice instead is part of our lives. What advice would you give to a beginning author?

I’d say learn the craft. Read, as much as you can. Go to seminars and conferences as much as possible. Find a published author or two who might be willing to mentor you. Don’t be afraid of critiques and learn from them. Enter contests but don’t put stock in them. Make as many connections as you can, make friends, be sincere, and don’t try to impress anyone. And never, ever give up. If this is what God has for you, take it from me, He will make a way.

Tell us about the featured book.

Two lives taken down different roads - one enduring love - one shot at starting over.

If only they believed in second chances.

Julia Connelly is finally free from twelve long years in an abusive relationship. Now able to live the life she’s longed for, Julia takes her two children back home to Vermont, hoping for peace and healing. The last person she expects to see is the man she eloped with at eighteen—who then abandoned her two months into their marriage, with little explanation.

When an assignment in the Middle East ends in tragedy, popular news correspondent, Reid Wallace, returns to his hometown seeking answers and peace of mind.

Confronting his past was not in the plan.

Now he’s asking different questions. Like why the only woman he’s ever really loved still mesmerizes him. Why the haunted expression she wears reaches right into his soul.

And why her twelve year-old son looks just like him.

They say you can’t go home again. Sometimes you don’t have a choice.

Please give us the first page of the book.

He only needed to survive one more day. Then he’d be home … back on US soil.

A lot can happen in twenty-four hours.

He’d learned that the hard way.

“What did he say?” Reid Wallace shouted at their guide over the yells and screams as townspeople rushed by, eager to get the latest news. Sweat slipped down his back and he swatted at the flies hovering over the food he hadn’t touched. He cracked a wad of gum and leaned closer as chanting—the call to morning prayers—began from a mosque somewhere up in the hills.

More people filled the streets, even though the air was thick with smoke. Debris littered the roads from the explosion that rocked the small town several hours ago. Children kicked at cans and tossed a dirty soccer ball to one another on their way to school. Women gathered in groups, conversing with rapid-fire words and hand gestures. Trucks rolled by. Vendors peddled their wares. The stench of rotting vegetation, stagnant water and who knew what else, sickened his already weak stomach.

Life in a war zone.

Life went on. Even here.

I can hardly wait for my copy of the book to arrive. I’ll read it right away. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website – http://www.catherinejwest.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CatherineJWest

Twitter - https://twitter.com/cathwest

GoodReads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4715219.Catherine_West

Pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/cathwest/

Google + - https://plus.google.com/u/0/108781711729974539211/posts

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Catherine-West/e/B004RWZUHK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Thank you, Katherine, for sharing this new book with us.

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Bridge Of Faith

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